While rising oil and gas prices directly hurt fuel-intensive industries like airlines, logistics and shipping, the downstream effects of inflation could be just as significant.
Especially for non-essential sectors like consumer discretionary, F&B, hospitality, and construction, the impact could be more acute.
Still, a few stocks might offer opportunities for investors to hedge against such geopolitical headwinds.
Here are some names that might make the cut.
Parkway Life REIT (SGX: C2PU) – Essential Healthcare Anchor
Amid rising inflation, one might give their favourite artisan cafe a miss.
However, good luck trying to skip the doctor when your health goes into a tailspin.
This reality underscores why Parkway Life offers income investors an attractive investment in a rocky market.
This healthcare REIT boasts a staggering S$2.57 billion portfolio that includes hospitals like Mount Elizabeth and Gleneagles.
In the full year of 2025 (FY2025), gross revenue climbed 7.6% year-on-year (YoY) to S$156.3 million, driving distributable income up 9.1% to S$99.8 million, supported by contributions from acquisitions in Japan and France, as well as a 3% rental step-up in Singapore hospitals.
Crucially, these rental step-ups will increase by a further 24.3% in FY2026, providing a further boost to its bottom line.
Parkway maintains a long weighted average lease expiry (WALE) of 14.49 years with fully committed occupancies in Singapore and France, while Japan’s occupancy remains high at 97.7%.
Even with its spending on acquisitions, its gearing remains low at 33.4% with an average maturity of three years.
Amid its improving financials supported by a sustainable trend of rental step-ups, the trust rewards investors with a 2.5% increase in total distribution per unit (DPU) to S$0.1529.
Singtel (SGX: Z74) – Providing Essential Connectivity With AI Transformation
Data is now taken for granted – so much so that when Singtel experienced a major outage, a minister had to address it in Parliament.
This demonstrated the essential nature of Singtel’s offerings – indispensable for businesses and consumers.
In the nine months ended 31 December 2025 (9MFY2026), the group reported broadly stable revenue of S$10.6 billion, or a 2% increase in constant currency terms, driving underlying net profit up 12% to S$2.1 billion, thanks to favourable operating gains from Regional Associates of Airtel and AIS.
Including one-time divestment and merger-related gains of S$3.2 billion, its total reported net profit in 9MFY2026 surged 108% to S$5.3 billion.
Crucially, Singtel has guided that it expects to receive S$1.1 billion in dividends from its regional associates in FY2026 — a key source of capital to fund shareholder returns.
Notably, the company has ambitious plans to become more than a traditional telco.
Through its Digital InfraCo segment, it’s rapidly building out its AI data centre footprint, transforming itself into an AI infrastructure powerhouse.
Sheng Siong (SGX: OV8) – Provider of Consumer Defensive Goods
With looming threats of recession, consumers tighten their belts on discretionary items like fine dining.
However, one doesn’t save on essential groceries.
In fact, they are likely to buy more, especially with the S$500 worth of CDC vouchers – originally slated for January 2027 – brought forward to June 2026, benefiting heartland supermarket chains like Sheng Siong.
Its full-year 2025 (FY2025) revenue surged 9.9% YoY to S$1.57 billion, driving net profit up 8.5% to S$149.2 million, due to the opening of 12 new stores in FY2025 and higher contributions from new outlets in FY2024.
Sheng Siong’s store expansions aren’t stopping here, with its new Sungei Kadut distribution centre boasting the potential to support 120 stores – that’s an additional 33 stores or a 38% increase from its current 87, spread across 10 to 15 years.
The grocery giant’s cash flow performance is just as impressive, with FY2025 operating cash flow climbing 8.1% YoY to S$236.6 million, providing the financial firepower to reward shareholders with a total FY2025 dividend payout of S$0.07 per share, a 9.4% increase YoY.
Get Smart: Find Shelter in The Storm
When the going gets tough, smart investors don’t have to sit helplessly and watch their portfolio take a beating.
Especially not if defensive names like those above offer stability through their essential services that provide resilience to economic pressures.
While others panic, investors can choose to ride out the storm in these businesses while collecting dividends.
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Disclosure: Larry L. does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.
